Wagah border formally shut
Indian citizens speak to their Pakistani relatives at the Attari-Wagah border crossing near Amritsar. Photo: REUTERS
The Wagah-Attari border was closed on Wednesday following the expiry of a deadline set for the repatriation of the citizens and long-term visa holders residing in India and Pakistan, as tensions heightened between the two countries.
According to sources, a significant number of nationals from both countries were still stranded on either side of the border. Though no official policy has yet been announced for them, but two options are under consideration: granting extension to allow further repatriations or initiating deportations.
Last Wednesday India announced several measures after blaming Pakistan for the April 22 attack in Pahalgam in IIOJK that killed 26 tourists. However, India did not provide any evidence against Pakistan.
The measures included suspension of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), downgrade of the diplomatic ties, closure of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, cancelling of visas issued to the Pakistani citizens and closure of the Wagah-Attari border.
Over the past seven days, 891 Pakistani nationals, including 58 diplomats, their families, and support staff, returned from India, while 1,687 Indian nationals, including 29 diplomats and officials returned to their country.
During the same period, eight Indian nationals holding Pakistani visas arrived here, while 373 Pakistanis holding long-term Indian visas went there. On Wednesday alone, 110 Pakistanis, including three diplomatic staff, came back, while 222 individuals, including four Indian diplomatic personnel, departed.
On April 29, 94 Pakistani citizensincluding 10 diplomatsreturned. On April 28, 145 Pakistanis, including 36 diplomats and their families, came back, followed by 237 on April 27, including nine diplomats and officials, 81 on April 26, 191 on April 25, and 28 on April 24.
From Pakistan to India, 222 individuals crossed on April 30. Prior to that, 469 Indian citizens, including 11 diplomats and officials, returned on April 29, 146 on April 28, 116 on April 27, 342, including 13 diplomats and officials on April 26, 287 on April 25, and 105 on April 24.
Officials confirmed that the repatriation deadline was now over, prompting the closure of the international border.
However, the fate of those still awaiting return remains uncertain.